Manchester United have signed Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos in midfield but the club now need to pursue this World Cup star
Manu Kone had an impressive World Cup for France
Manu Kone had an impressive World Cup for France(Image: Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
View 3 Images
Manu Kone has to be Manchester United's next transfer port of call this summer. The Frenchman would round out the club's new, reinvigorated midfield.
Heading into the summer, the hole left by Casemiro's departure had to be filled. United took their time, but by signing both Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos, they are well on their way to addressing a position of significant concern.
Kobbie Mainoo will be the cornerstone of Carrick's double-pivot. But the boss would benefit greatly from a more powerful, energetic star in the middle of the park. Reports suggest United will sign one more midfielder this summer and Kone fits the bill.
Kone made his debut for Toulouse in 2019, yet it was at German outfit Borussia Monchengladbach where he truly made his mark. There, he established himself as an exceptional No. 8, excelling at driving forward with the ball and wriggling free from tight situations. He made the switch to Serie A in 2024 and swiftly became essential, playing a key role in Roma's third-place finish last term.
Manu Kone of AS Roma seen in action during the 2025 Serie A Football A match between Hellas Verona and AS Roma at Marcantonio Bentegodi Stadium
The 25-year-old has been a revelation for Roma(Image: Getty)
View 3 Images
However, the club's desperate financial predicament means a sale this summer appears inevitable. Kone shone for France at the World Cup before their semi-final exit at the hands of Spain and he could be available for as little as £45m – and his country's elimination from the tournament will give United the green light to now pursue a deal.
The Red Devils jumped on Belgium's elimination to swiftly wrap up a deal for Tielemans, meaning Kone could also be there for the taking should the club decide to go in for him. United should be wary, though, that numerous other clubs could pounce soon. They must act swiftly to secure a bargain deal.
If Mainoo, Tielemans and Santos, along with potentially Mason Mount should he remain, are to be Carrick's sole midfield choices, there is an obvious weakness. All these players lack genuine physical stature and are, to all intents and purposes, under six feet tall, with Mainoo's low-slung dribbling style making his six-foot frame often appear considerably shorter.
Casemiro has departed and with Manuel Ugarte injured and not up to standard anyway, a player with tight-space strength alongside technical ability is absent. Kone fills the gap.
Were he to be deployed alongside Mainoo in the double-pivot, he could offer the recovery runs and athletic coverage that the young Englishman frequently lacks. This would provide United with two players who excel at receiving the ball under pressure and thrive in a possession-based system such as Carrick's.
At 25, Kone is in the prime of his career, boasts one of Serie A's finest pass completion rates and would inject a burst of long-striding athleticism into an engine room that is sorely lacking it.
Manu Kone of France during the 2026 World Cup match between France and Spain at Dallas Stadium
With France out of the World Cup clubs can now contact Kone(Image: Getty)
View 3 Images
This midfield quartet more than covers Ugarte's absence and replaces Casemiro's steel with younger, more athletic legs. Carrick would also have a tactical playground in which he could effectively exploit any opponent's weaknesses.
Should Kone be secured for the estimated fee, United will have assembled a midfield with the depth and versatility to compete in the Champions League for £131m, just £15m more than what Elliot Anderson cost Manchester City.
Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.